Synchronized Image Browsing for Clinical Specimen Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clinical medical image viewing systems face challenges in synchronizing the viewing of multiple related images, which can lead to difficulties in comparing and analyzing specimens due to differences in image alignment, orientation, and resolution, resulting in potential human errors and inefficiencies in specimen analysis.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for displaying multiple related images simultaneously and synchronizing their operations, such as panning, zooming, and rotating, to maintain a consistent view across all images, allowing users to focus on specific areas without losing track of related image positions, and compensating for imperfections in slide preparation and scanning equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple related images are displayed simultaneously for comparison, then the ability to compare and analyze specimens is improved, but maintaining alignment and orientation across images becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements synchronization mechanisms that continuously monitor and adjust image positions, zoom levels, and orientations across multiple displays. When a user navigates or adjusts one image, the system provides feedback by automatically adjusting related images to maintain proper alignment and orientation, resolving the contradiction between efficient multi-image comparison and maintaining precision alignment.
2Ease of operation
If images are navigated independently in each window, then individual image examination flexibility is improved, but losing track of related image positions occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a synchronization mechanism as an intermediary between independent image windows. This mediator coordinates navigation actions across windows, ensuring that when one image is navigated, related images are automatically adjusted to maintain their spatial relationships. Users retain individual navigation flexibility while the synchronization intermediary prevents loss of spatial context.
3Ease of manufacture
If different staining methods are used on different slices to highlight different features, then visualization of different specimen aspects is improved, but difficulty in comparing corresponding features across slices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization system provides real-time feedback by automatically adjusting the position, zoom, and orientation of differently stained slices based on navigation actions performed on any slice. This ensures that corresponding features across slices with different staining methods remain aligned and easily comparable, resolving the difficulty in detecting and measuring corresponding features while preserving the flexibility of using different staining methods.
Data Source
AI summary
Image viewing systems, such as clinical medical image viewing systems, can be equipped for image browsing. Such systems may benefit from synchronized image browsing. A method can include displaying a plurality of related images at a same time. The method can also include synchronizing the related images with respect to an operation performed on one of the images. Likewise, an apparatus can include a user interface configured to display a plurality of related images at a same time. The apparatus also includes a synchronizer configured to synchronize the related images with respect to an operation performed on one of the images.